How to cut brass

[Modlbldr]

I have this brass plate that has an interesting pattern. I want to use it for the ramps and bed of my car hauler but I don't k ow the best or easiest way to cut it. It is about 1/32 inch thick so I won't be able to cut it with most of the hand tools I have. Any ideas? What do you use to cut stuff this thick?

Later-

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Dremel with a cutoff wheel.

Cut it a few thousandths large, hand file to final shape.

[SfanGoch]

The one problem with using rotary tools with cut off wheels is that, due to the mandrel length, you're only able to make perpendicular cuts up to a maximum of 2" from the outer edge of a metal sheet. In order to cut parts with larger widths, you'll have to position the cut off wheel at an angle to the piece. This results in a beveled edge at the cut which can be a PITA to flatten evenly. Plus, it's difficult to maintain the cut off wheel in a straight line while cutting the sheet.

If the bed and ramps are just composed of straight line cuts, you can draw the patterns on the smooth side. Place a straightedge on the lines then slowly and carefully score the lines with a scribing tool or, if you don't have one, with the backside of a #11 blade. The brass is soft and thin enough to allow you to scribe completely through the sheet. When you reach a point when the scribe line is almost through, you can bend the section until it snaps off. Use a file to remove any burrs and to smooth out the edges. I use this method when cutting parts from 0.016 brass sheet.

[NOBLNG]

Either method will likely work. I would try the scribing method on the backside first, since you could get a more accurate cut almost exactly the final size…if you can find a good enough scribing tool. If that doesn’t seem to be working, then try the cutoffs. They may get clogged up easily on the soft brass? Tin snips will deform the sheet and you’ll never get it flat again. If you cut the blank 1/16”-1/8” larger than needed, they (a good pair) could be used for a final trim though.

[Muncie]

depends - brass comes in different tempers, some soft, some hard.  Looks like nice stuff with a great pattern. I might be tempted to try an industrial classroom grade paper cutter for long straight cuts

[iBorg]

On thinner material, the classroom paper cutter would work. I'd be worried about the blade deflecting which could be dangerous if you try to force it. Tempering the brass would be good idea no matter how you approach it. I think the idea of scribing the brass may be the best approach. You could use a utility knife to make the scribes. You want to make the scribe deeper than you think you need. If you try to break it before the scribe is deep enough you will simply bend the metal.

[SfanGoch]

The K&S Engineering  .016" brass I use has a hard temper and it can be easily (fairly) using a new #11 blade.

I don't know about the commercial paper cutter. First of all, even the smaller models take up a good deal of bench space. Secondly, the are fairly expensive ($100+), which is a lot of mazuma for something which would see limited use. Okay, it might come in handy slicing cold cuts.

 

 

[SfanGoch]

23 minutes ago, iBorg said:

You want to make the scribe deeper than you think you need. If you try to break it before the scribe is deep enough you will simply bend the metal.

I did point that out.

 

Edited December 16, 2021 by SfanGoch

[bisc63]

Just mark and cut with a small hacksaw, just be sure to support the sheet well as near the edge of your workbench as possible and cut slowly.

[Modlbldr]

Thanks guys for the input. I'll give a few of these a try (scribing, dremel, and hack saw). Although I do have one of the old school large classroom paper cutters, I think my wife might be upset at me for that. I have a few different sheets of this so trying a few things is possible.

Later-

[deuces wild]

Let us know how it all worked out for ya please.... Thanks!...?

Pictures of the ramps and the trailer would be cool also....??

[Modlbldr]

2 hours ago, deuces wild said:

Let us know how it all worked out for ya please.... Thanks!...?

Pictures of the ramps and the trailer would be cool also....??

Will do.

Later-

[Oldcarfan27]

How about a fine tooth circular blade on a miter or chop saw with a scrap wood backing, or sandwich the metal between two pieces of scrap wood and chop down. Maybe a sanding disk on a hand held cutoff saw?

Quick downward cut with small sawblade teeth to avoid grabbing the material. 

[SfanGoch]

Why does it seem like there's the universal assumption that everybody has a fully equipped machine shop in their house?  

[Oldcarfan27]

8 hours ago, SfanGoch said:

Why does it seem like there's the universal assumption that everybody has a fully equipped machine shop in their house?  

Garage power tools are not considered machine shop, sir.

I'm sure there are many of us on this forum who do take the time to build other things around the house besides models!

[Rick L]

If it’s .031 thick, you’re going to spend a long time scribing with an Xacto blade. The Dremel is a better idea. If you’re using a large sheet, rough cut the material and trim your final cut from that.

[SfanGoch]

3 hours ago, Oldcarfan27 said:

Garage power tools are not considered machine shop, sir.

I'm sure there are many of us on this forum who do take the time to build other things around the house besides models!

You assume everyone lives in a house and has a garage to store tools. If one lives in an apartment, one has neither a garage to store a car, let alone large quantities of power tools nor the space in aforementioned apartment dwelling to to do the same. Not everyone is fortunate to own a house with a garage. That's a stone cold fact here in NYC. I keep that in mind when offering advice and mention items commonly found in both a house or an apartment.

[Rick L]

Patrick isn’t assuming anything. He’s only giving input. If you have the tools available, so be it. If you don’t, keep looking for alternatives that are offered on the discussion. That’s what the forum is about. There is no one answer.

[Oldcarfan27]

7 hours ago, Rick L said:

Patrick isn’t assuming anything. He’s only giving input. If you have the tools available, so be it. If you don’t, keep looking for alternatives that are offered on the discussion. That’s what the forum is about. There is no one answer.

Thank you! ?